Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is set to sign a new three-year contract with Arsenal, keeping him at the club until 2023.
The forward’s contract was due to expire in 2021, leading to speculation he could leave in the summer.
Aubameyang scores twice in Arsenal’s FA Cup win / Mark Atkins / Getty Images
Aubameyang was tight-lipped about his future after Arsenal’s FA Cup win over Chelsea, but Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is confident he will stay at the Emirates.
According to the Telegraph, Arteta’s confidence was well placed, with Aubameyang close to agreeing a new three-year deal.
The deal will cover the 12 months left to run on his current deal at the Emirates, and extend his stay in north London by a further two years.
Negotiations are in the early stages and ‘verbal commitments’ have been made. He is expected to sign the contract and commit to his future with the club unless any problems or inconsistencies are found in the proposed deal.
Aubameyang and Arteta will aim for a top-four finish next season / Mark Atkins/Getty Images
Although not quite in the same league as Mesut Ozil’s £350,000-a-week, Aubameyang’s new contract is reportedly worth more than £250,000-a-week – plus lucrative bonuses.
Apart from the pay rise, the Gabon international was also assured that Arteta is building a team to challenge for a top-four finish and a place in the Champions League next season.
Aubameyang has been with Arsenal since 2018, but is yet to feature in European football’s most prestigious cup competition with the Gunners, who have finished fifth and eighth since arriving in north London.
Aubameyang has been very successful during his two years with Arsenal / Pool / Getty Images
The 31-year-old has been Arsenal’s top scorer in each of his two seasons at the Emirates, scoring 54 goals in 85 Premier League appearances.
Aubameyang netted twice in the Gunners’ recent FA Cup final against Chelsea – the first major trophy the club have won since signing from Borussia Dortmund two years ago.
The lucrative new deal for their star man comes in the same week that Arsenal announced they would be making 55 staff redundant due to the coronavirus pandemic.